Technology Daily: Tech Industry Anticipates Final Innovation Votes

Technology Daily
Tech Industry Anticipates Final Innovation Votes
August 2, 2007
by Heather Greenfield

The House on Thursday afternoon is expected to pass legislation aimed at keeping the United States globally competitive. The measure would authorize doubled funding for federal basic research over the next seven years and aims to better prepare the next generation of scientists by authorizing funds for programs to train teachers and students in mathematics and science.

On Thursday morning, the House paved the way for a final vote by adopting a "rule" to govern floor debate. The technology industry was among those celebrating that move as progress in a multiyear effort to enact the recommendations of "Rising Above The Gathering Storm," the 2005 National Academies of Science report on the state of U.S. competitiveness.

Microsoft lobbyist Jack Krumholz said the final legislation, H.R. 2272, that emerged from a House-Senate conference earlier this week is "a groundbreaking effort to invest in America's future as the global leader in innovation." A final vote on the bill by the Senate is set for Friday.

"This came about because of Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi pushing these ideas forward in the innovation agenda [the California Democrat drafted] and acting on them," said Josh Ackil, a lobbyist for the Information Technology Industry Council.

"We're thrilled about the possibility of this bill passing both chambers in the next couple days," said Betsy Mullins, a lobbyist for TechNet. The tech company CEOs that comprise the group "see the need for this more than anyone because they're on the front lines."

The bill would authorize $22 billion for the National Science Foundation over the next three fiscal years. NSF would use part of the money for its science, technology, engineering and math education programs and also for grants for young researchers in the early stages of their math or science career.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology and Energy Department's science office also would be on track to double their basic research budgets over seven years, under the bill.

The Telecommunications Industry Association is especially pleased that the House accepted a provision in the Senate-passed bill, S. 761, that directed about $200 million of NSF basic research funding toward university or company research into advanced communications technology.

The hope is that the research will result in ways to boost high-speed Internet deployment. "It's a real shot in the arm for industry many years down the road," TIA President Grant Seiffert said. He said the industry had not been investing in research dollars itself in recent years.

"The House did a wonderful job recognizing this was a priority for the future of the U.S. economy," Seiffert said. "It means jobs for researchers and hopefully keeps research and intellectual property within the borders of America."

The measure also would create the Technology Innovation Program, based on the previous Advanced Technology Program. TIP would help support higher-risk, smaller-scale research in small or medium-sized firms.

The Education Department would be directed to ensure that its math and science curricula prepare students for college and the workforce.

The next step will be a Senate vote and securing the funding authorized by the bill from appropriators.